Apparatus for drying jewelry and the like.



Awww@ F. P. BLAND.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

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nrrana'rcs ron Darme JEWELRY AND THE Linn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

retreated nec., a, m15.

Application lcd May 6, 1191-5. Serial N o.v 26,31a,

To all 'whom t may concern -Be it known that I, FRANCIS P. BoLAND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Drying Jewelry and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My -invention relates to improved process and means for drying wet or moist articles of jewelry and the like in a continuous manner, all as more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In carrying out my present invention I employ a perforated, revolubly mounted vessel, containing the articles to be subjected to the drying operation, the vessel being inclosed within a practically air-tight, hollow casing, in open 'communication with the in-l take side of a revoluble exhaust-fan, which latter in turn acts to draw or suck moistureabsorbent medium, as hot air, through orbetween the articles under treatment, the thus moisture-charged moving air at substantially the same instant being exhausted into and passing through a heating chamber to evaporate the moisture and' re-heat the air the latter being accompanied by outer` or iresh air to replace the air lost a by leakage, etc. 'Ihis additional air mingled with the said used air is also heated in its passage through the heating chamber and conducted from the latter into the' said container holding thearticles being acted upon. In the accompanying drawing is represented a sectional elevation of a machine or apparatus embodying my present invention,

1n which the combined moisture-absorbentl and drying medium is eHected in ously circulating manner.

Referrring to the drawing, A indicates a continuthe device or arrangement substantially as a f whole and as constructed to perform the functions of a continuous' moisture-absorb-4 ent and drier.

A stationary casing or housing a, inclosing a chamber b, is supported on a pedestal c. Inclosed within the chamber is mounted a cage or spider element c1, secured to an upright shaft s revolubly actuated by a beltdriven pulley s1, or other suitable means. An open container C, having perforated side and bottomwalls, is removably mounted in the cage and rotated by it; the container is adapted to receive the moist or wet articles subjected to the drying or moisture-absorbcommunicating with the ing process. The upper portion of the casing a 1s provided with an enlarged opening a1 through which the container' C may pass and be received in the cage.

Contiguous to the mounted container is located a suitably driven exhaust-fan or suctlon-blower B, having its intake opening suction-chamber b by means of the connected branches b1 and b2., The damper-controlled direct exit nozzle or outlet d1 from said suction element B eX- hausts the used or moisture-charged air into a suitable air-heater D, the latter having an enlarged inlet opening d located contiguous to the said nozzle d1; the arrangement being such that it permits of a volume of outer or unusedl air being drawn into the heater through its said opening d (see arrow 'and mingle with thecharged air as it issues from the outlet di.

`let m1 through the said enlarged opening al in register with it and direct into the rIhe collected or absorbed` moisture carried by the thus used air beapertured revoluble work-holder or container. C.

'lU It may be desirable at certain times, as for example, in case the circulating air be surcharged with moisture, to divert all or the major portion of the air exhausted from the blower direct into the atmosphere. In order to accomplish this result the blower may be provided with a damper-controlled branch of nozzle d1 is closed and that of nozzle d2 exhaust nozzle d2. In such case the damper opened and outer air caused to continuously enter the heater D via its inlet-opening d;

l the said outer air is heated in its passage through the heater and Hows via 'duct m,

m1 to and through the container, the suction Y action of the blower at the same time causlng the moisture-charged air to enter the blower and be 'exhausted therefrom intov the atmosphere through the then open nozzle da, followed by other unused or outer air which becomes heated in passing through the heater, as before described. If desired, the'waste or used air may be conducted from the blower by means of a pipe 033, substantially as indicated by dotted lines.

It will be seen now that by means of my invention the continuous suction action operates to draw both the -used or moisture charged alr and a quantity of normal outer mesme air direct from the exhaust blower into the heater to reheat the moist air, independently controlled means for preventing the moisture-laden airfrom entering theheater, and means for conducting heated dry air from the heater into the said casing to engage the articles mounted in the container.

In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a casing and 10 a rotary container therein adapted' to hold.

moist articles, of an exhaust blower, a heater connected with the exhaust blower and cas- 1ng,.a connection between the casing -and exhaust blower, and selective'means for connecting the exhaust blower to the heater or atmosphere.

In testimony whereof l have axed my signature.

runners? r. Eemian 

